UC Regional Airport To Further Discuss Prospective Of Becoming Authority

Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board deferred action on the creation of a regional airport authority after discussing the prospect at its meeting Thursday night citing a desire to have the unanimous approval of legal counsels. 

Airport Manager Dean Selby said the potential to change came as a result of the airport learning it was operating as an airport authority without properly filing with the state. He said while the airport essentially already operates as an authority with its processes, it is not entirely independent.

“I think some people might not have understood how this came to light or why this came to light,” Selby said. “I think there was a misconception that it was because we were needing to borrow money. That just highlighted the fact that there were things needing to be addressed.”

Mayor Randy Porter said one key point is that if the board creates an authority, it takes the liability off the governmental bodies. He said if the board does not move to an authority, then processes will have to change. That includes each government having to individually approve grants each time they come down to the airport.

Legal representation for each entity was present at the meeting. Cookeville Attorney Dan Rader said one concern is an airport authority’s statute requiring board members to serve for five years. He said that could present an issue should an elected official leave office.

“We’ve got the Cookeville Regional Medical Center authority and it’s an independent entity and it does things that sometimes the city council doesn’t agree with and doesn’t have control,” Rader said. “But we’ve got control with this right now. And I want to make sure that going forward, Putnam County, the City of Cookeville, Sparta, and White County maintain some level of control in the operation of this airport.”

TDOT Aeronautics Director John Saalwaechter said that regardless of the decision to create an authority or remain a board, there will be steps that have to be taken in order to be in line with state requirements.

Sparta Attorney Caroline Sapp also discussed concerns with eminent domain. The attorneys agreed to set a meeting to discuss any concerns with the airport’s legal authority, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.

The board will meet again at its April 11th meeting to hopefully make a decision on the next steps to take.